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The state of Assam is located in the northeastern region of India and is known for its unique culture, traditions, and biodiversity. The state is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and one of the most important aspects of its biodiversity is its wildlife. Assam has a diverse range of animals, both domestic and wild, and these creatures are an essential part of the state's identity. Among the many species of animals found in Assam, there is one that stands out as the state's official animal – the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros or the Indian rhinoceros. This rhinoceros is found primarily in India and Nepal, and is one of the largest land animals in the world. The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is a critically endangered species, with only a few thousand individuals remaining in the wild. In Assam, however, the species has managed to thrive, and the state is now home to the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses in the world.
The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is an impressive animal, with a thick, grey skin and a single horn protruding from its forehead. The species can weigh up to 2,500 kg and stand up to 1.8 meters tall. The rhinoceros has a prehensile upper lip that allows it to grasp and pull at vegetation, and its horn is made of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails. The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is a herbivore and feeds mainly on grasses, leaves, and fruits.
Assam has a long history with the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The species was once found across the entire Indian subcontinent, but due to habitat loss and hunting, its population declined rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1970s, the species was on the brink of extinction, with only a few hundred individuals remaining in the wild. It was at this time that the Indian government, with the help of conservationists and local communities, launched a major effort to save the species from extinction.
Assam was at the forefront of these efforts, and the state has played a vital role in the conservation of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The state's protected areas, including the Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park, have been critical in providing habitat for the species. These protected areas have helped to reduce poaching and illegal trade in rhinoceros horns, which are highly valued in some traditional medicines.
The Indian one-horned rhinoceros has become an iconic symbol of Assam's biodiversity and wildlife conservation efforts. The state's government has recognized the importance of the species, and in 1985, the Indian one-horned rhinoceros was officially designated as the state's animal. The state's commitment to the conservation of the species is further demonstrated by the fact that the Indian one-horned rhinoceros is also featured prominently on the state's official emblem.
The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is not only important for its cultural and symbolic significance but also for its ecological role. As a large herbivore, the rhinoceros plays a critical role in maintaining the grasslands and forests of Assam. The species is an important seed disperser, and its grazing habits help to shape the composition of the grasslands and forests in which it lives.